KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has confirmed that the party has officially received Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz’s resignation letter.
The confirmation puts to rest earlier uncertainty after Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had said the party had not yet received the letter, despite Tengku Zafrul’s public announcement yesterday that he was leaving Umno to join PKR.
According to reports, Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the letter was submitted to Umno’s executive secretary Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan.
“Yesterday, when we checked, there was none (no letter).
“But this morning, upon checking again, the letter had been delivered to Mohd Sumali. We have received the resignation letter and his notice of withdrawal from Umno membership,” he said to reporters after attending a Pre-Gawai Celebration organised by the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority Sarawak 2025 in Serian today.
Zafrul, who is the current investment, trade and industry minister, confirmed in a Facebook post that he had resigned from Umno’s Supreme Council, as Kota Raja division chief, and as a party member yesterday.
Party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, responding to the move, said he respected Zafrul’s decision, adding that it was neither surprising nor unusual in the current political climate.
“Every individual has the right to choose their political path,” he said, noting that Umno would continue to focus on rebuilding its strength and serving the people.
Mohamad also thanked Zafrul for his contributions under the party’s banner, particularly in government, where he served as a technocrat in key economic roles.
“People come and go, and that’s the nature of politics. What matters is that the struggle must go on,” he said in a Facebook post.
PKR, however, said it has not yet received an official membership application from Tengku Zafrul.
Secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said any application would follow standard procedures and be tabled at the party’s Central Leadership Council for consideration, with input from allies in the unity government and grassroots.
Zafrul said that he had conveyed his intention to join PKR to its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Fuziah.
He described the decision as a difficult one, made after extensive reflection and consultation, including with Umno president Zahid.
“Umno has been the only political party I have ever joined, since 1997,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi yesterday voiced concern over Zafrul’s planned party switch, calling it “highly inappropriate” for parties in the unity government to accept members from component parties without restriction. He warned that such moves could erode trust and disrupt coalition harmony. – May 31, 2025